Indian Airlines Strengthens Activities in Australia

Exclusive Report by Thomas E. King,

Travel Mole Travel Lifestyle Correspondent

Indian Airlines has signalled its confidence in the burgeoning Australian and New Zealand markets by instigating a number of incentives designed to increase market share for the domestic Indian air carrier.

The recognition of the significance of the Australian and New Zealand markets began with the appointment of The Walshe Group as PSA (passenger sales agent) for Indian Airlines with Mr Anil Rodricks as the Business Development Manager and Ms Angela Caldwell as Account Executive.

This move was followed last year with the selection of The Walshe Group to represent the domestic Indian airline in New Zealand and the authorisation of the Indian Airlines office in Sydney to be able to issue tickets for the through journey from Australia to India.

“We are now selling international services from Australia to India using QANTAS or Malaysia Airlines from centres like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to South East Asia ports like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok and then Indian Airlines flights on to India.  We are a major feeder into India for QANTAS and Indian Airlines is now very much a significant player in the Australian market,” said Mr Rodricks. 

Indian Airlines will soon be in the BSP Australia programme.  This much anticipated move will enable appointed agents across the country to issue tickets in their offices.

Meanwhile, business grew significantly from Australia to India for the carrier last year. 

There have been a number of factors that have been responsible for this, not the least of which is the increase in exposure for Indian Airlines in the local market, said Mr Rodricks.

Indian Airlines has also introduced new flights and lowered domestic fares.  These initiatives were very well received in the local market, he added.

For instance, in October the airline improved its non stop Singapore to Delhi service.  The connection in Singapore was shortened so it’s almost like a direct flight from many Australian centres to Delhi, said Mr Rodricks.  An Airbus A320 is used on Singapore/Delhi flights.

In addition new Kuala Lumpur/Hyderabad flights are now in operation three days a week.  As well, the Singapore/Bangalore service has been increased to two flights a day.  

The much-in-demand Singapore/Hyderabad sector can also be ticketed through our offices  As well, the popular Indian Airlines ‘Air Pass’  – a big seller in the Australian market – can also be purchased locally, he added.

October 17^th was a special day for Indian Airlines with the announcement of the permanent lowering of domestic fares by 40 per cent. 

“We have special fares for the Australian market”, said Mr Rodricks.

The airline is also gearing up for expansion and aircraft replacement with a fleet of 43 Airbus on order. 

The A321s which will allow the carrier to increase frequencies to Southeast Asian centres are being progressively added to the fleet through 2006 and 2007.

The new aircraft will offer a greater non stop range so that Indian Airlines can look at introducing new destinations in the region and beyond.

In addition to ports in India and the subcontinent the carrier also flies to destinations in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Middle East as well as Southeast Asia.

While the carrier is “committed to Southeast Asia, Indian Airlines has stated this it is definitely interested in Australia.  No decision will be taken, however, until a choice in aircraft is made,” said Mr Rodricks.

Meanwhile the carrier is introducing other new products and services.  In a world’s first, the airline has revealed a system whereby passengers can buy airline tickets through ATMs in India.  This Indian invention has been subsequently rolled out to USA, said Mr Rodricks.

Additionally the company has launched it “Flyaway” programme, an online FIT air and land product.  Passengers go to the website www.indianairlinespackages.com, look through options available and then are directed back to their travel agent for “facilitation”.

“The idea is to make it easy to buy streamlined Indian Airlines flights and holiday products,” he said.

Anil Rodricks is preparing for an onslaught of activity from local agents after Indian Airlines enters BSP Australia later this year.